Living in the Kingdom: Honoring God – Matthew 19 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”

Living in the Kingdom: Honoring God – Matthew 19 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Living in the Kingdom: Honoring God – Matthew 19 16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,

Living in the Kingdom: Honoring God – Matthew 19 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions

Honor God with Your Marriage (3-9) It is a universal principle for all times Moses limits an existing practice (Deut 24) If a person gets divorced and Gets married again and Gets divorced again Then the person can't go back to first spouse

Honor God with Your Marriage (3-9) It is a universal principle for all times Moses limits an existing practice God hates divorce

Honor God with Your Marriage (3-9) Malachi 2:16, “For I hate divorce, says the Lord.” Romans 7:2-3, “For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.”

Honor God with Your Marriage (3-9) It is a universal principle for all times Moses limits an existing practice (Deut 25) God hates divorce Are there any exceptions?

Practical Suggestions for Husbands Spend time in the Word/Prayer Turn off electronics and talk Call/Text your wife when you are out Develop mutual hobbies Be romantic Plan a getaway with your wife Kiss her like you mean it Learn your wife Say kind words. Don't be critical Be a gentleman Dates. Be neat and tidy Give her time off to do things she enjoys Play with your children.

Practical Suggestions for Wives Food Be romantic Build up your husband Consult your husband. Do not nag Support his hobbies Be content Be a good mother Be sensitive

Practical Suggestions for Singles Glorify God as a single Be equally yoked Find agreement on important issues Get to know the real person

Practical Suggestions for Singles Study the Word and Christian books now Set clear guidelines to limit temptation Get Christian counsel and accountability partners Be absolutely sure

Honor God with Your Children (13-15) 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Honor God with Your Children Teach your children the Word Ask your children questions Talk to your children about God Do not outscource your children to teachers Pray for your children

Honor God with Your Money (16-22) Choice #1 – Jesus is not divine and is therefore not good Choice #2 – Jesus is good and is therefore divine

Jesus is Good and is Divine Proof Jesus claims only God is good (Matthew 19:17) Jesus claims to be good (John 8:46, 10:11) Therefore, Jesus claims to be God.

Two Outcomes from Jesus' Challenge Outcome #1 – The man repents and follows Jesus Outcome #2 – The man will know his lost state

Living in the Kingdom: True Discipleship What do you need to give up in order to follow Jesus? Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”